smile
I say hi to every student coming to class.
Katherine,
There are many students like you have described here in our colleges. They will not and cannot leave their problems at the door. Teachers like you help them to be successful.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I have a student in my class who always seems to be in a bad mood; she constantly is sighing and doesn’t seem to be happy about being there. That is until I start engaging her and making the class laugh by jumping around and using my arms and hands to get my point across. Then slowly she starts to smile and “seems “like she is having a good time. I have to do this on a daily basis. Some days are harder than others; but a simple smile, I believe keeps her in class.
Smiling and speaking to the students can really break down a wall of sadness and stress that a student may be going through. When a student comes in and s greeted by the receptionist with a smile and a pleasent attitude the student may feel a sense of comfort.
You can get a pretty good insight into a students attitude for the day just by smiling and saying hello first thing in the morning!
A person,any person that can read a face, can tell if some thing is wrong, a simple smile can tell anyone, here I am, If you need anything,ASK.
I always says hi even to my ex students by addressing their names at the end,that help to strengthen the old bond . Latif Rahman
Scott,
Again, great approach. I used to do the same thing when I taught high school. There were days it seemed some students only showed up to see what kind of crazy tie I was wearing. This keeps the learning atmospher fun.
Not only do I smile and acknowledge each student as I walk by, but I have been collecting "Wild Ties" for 25 years, so all of my students and most of the rest of the campus look to see which crazy tie I am wearing each day. It is harmless fun, and it makes everyone smile each day. It is not a bad reputation to have. I can still be a very effective teacher, but I remain approachable because of the novelty ties.
I agree. Sometimes, students begin to look forward to that greeting even after they are no longer your student.
Saying hello to students entering my room or passing in the hall is a part of my daily routine. Not only do the students feel good about it, but I do as well.
Anthony,
Several of those individuals that seem as if they don't want to be engaged are probably the ones who are screaming inside for some conversation or direction.
I try to acknowledge the majority of students that pass me in the hall. I find that some people just do not want to be engaged. That doesn't mean that I stop after that one time, they could just be having a bad day.
Thomas,
Sometimes you really don't have to say anything, a simple smile or nod breaks the ice and shows that you are approachable.
Hi goes along way to break the ice. it good to be aproachable.
